| “ | Ariel's handmaidens know only the defense of their Queen and the forest - an eternal duty, never forsworn. | „ |
Sisters of the Thorn are a 
Wood Elves cavalry unit.
Recruitment
Unlocked with: Pastures of Skymark or Sacred Pools of Isha
Description
The Sisters of the Thorn are Ariel's handmaidens. In many ways, they are equal and opposite to the Wild Riders of Kurnous, a sisterhood pledged to sorcery and subtlety where Orion's equerries know loyalty only to the glory of the Hunt. Where the Wild Riders are borne into battle on steeds as reckless as they are, the Sisters ride the Steeds of Isha - mounts whose viciousness lies hidden beneath a graceful aspect. Just like their mistress, the Sisters of the Thorn are eternal; they seem never to age and succumb to injury only briefly. Should one be slain, her siblings place her body upon a bier of root and ivy and bear it away to the hallowed halls beneath the Oak of Ages. There she slumbers away the weeks and months until the arrival of a new Spring, where the riot of magic and life-energy restores her to vibrant existence. Only if her body is irretrievable or mutilated beyond all recognition does the fallen Sister's spirit flee the mortal world, leaving her bereaved siblings to exact vengeance on her slayer.
Attributes
- Magic Cavalry
- ▲ Forest Stalker: The Elves of Athel Loren gain bonuses to melee defence and accuracy while fighting within the forest.
- ▲ Spellcaster: This unit can cast spells.
- ▲ Vanguard Deployment: This unit can deploy in an expanded deployment area, allowing it to start the battle within striking distance of the enemy - or somewhere unexpected.
- ▲ Very Fast: This unit can run circles around most other units, taunting and harrassing the enemy or evading its missile fire.
Bound Spells
Strategy
The Sister of the Thorn have a high physical resistance at 40% (higher than forest spirits units), poisonous ranged attacks, two bound spells, and high mobility. The utility this unit brings to the battlefield is large and should be used heavily in a supporting role. They can Shield of Thorns a key unit to protect them and boost their damage while using the Curse to soften up a target for the ranged units to destroy. They are decent fighters in terms of melee stats, but will lose to more elite units or ones with anti-large. Their armour piercing in melee and ranged is not super high, so armour will hinder their effectiveness.
Since their speed is high and their range is low, it is conveniente to keep them at the sides of your main army so they can use their spells and pincer the enemy. If fighting against them while having armored/heavy cavalry it's unlikely you can chase them out of spell range, so focus on other targets.
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